The Catfish Kings Great rock'n'roll, boogie, jive and swing band

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Price Guide

Description Price
Arrival more that three hours before start of playing time£75
Learn songs especially for the occasion (First one free) other songs£50
Our price includes travel within the mileage stated, as long as it is in mainland England, i.e. not e.g Isle of Wight, Isle of Man£0
Our prices are inclusive of travel, for a five-piece band with own sound system. You are welocme to use our sound to contect to an iPod, iPad, to play your own music in the interval(s), or we can make-up a playlist. The only extras are as listed in the price guide.

About / Biography

The Catfish Kings are the south coast's leading rock and roll, jive, party band.

Featuring the blazing tenor saxophone of Ricky Walker, highly regarded frontman, singer and guitarist Harry Lang, the boogie piano of Lady Vanessa and the rocking rhythm section of Dave Lacey (drums) and Paul George double- bass).

Present and past band members have played or recorded at various times with top acts including Chuck Berry, Ruby Turner, Steve Cropper, Roddy Jackson, Laurel Aitken, Tommy Brown and many more.

In 2019 the band signed to the Uk's leading rock'n'roll label, FootTapping Records, the organisation that launched Imelda May

The band are regulars on the UK retro dance scene, and have appeared at many top venues, including The Twinwood Vintage Festival, The Ace Cafe, London Sand Bay Resort, Birmingham Internastional Jazz and Blues Festival (6 times), Norfolk Showground, Imperial Hotel Blackpool, Royal Bath Hotel Bournemouth, Broadstairs Festival Week, London's Rivoli Ballroom, Dover St Wine Bar W1, Bristol's BAWA Club, Palace Pier Brighton, Brunswick Festival, Hove,The Komedia at Brighton, Devere Function Rooms , etc etc.

The band are happy to entertain at weddings, private parties, and corporate functions. Just tell us what you want, when and where, and we'll do the rest!

LINE UP; Harry, vocals, guitar; Rick, saxophone; Lady Vanessa piano; Paul George upright bass; Dave Lacey, drums.

Reviews (6)

There are currently 6 user ratings for The Catfish Kings

AVERAGE RATING

10 / 101

Location

Based in Hove, East Sussex

Will travel up to 250 miles
green circle = areas covered (up to 250 miles)
pink circle = free travel (up to 100 miles)
Please note that the circles shown on the map are calculated "as the crow flies". By road distances may vary, so please get in touch for an accurate quote.

Gteat Balls of Fire; Jambalaya; Rockin' My Life Away (Jerry Lee Lewis)

Little Queenie, Reeling and Rocking, You Never Can Tell,

Rock and Roll Music (Chuck Berry),

Say Mama (Gene Vincent),

20 Flight Rock (Eddie Cochrane),

Paralysed, A Big Hunk O'Love (Elvis Presley),

Jenny Jenny, Slipping and Sliding, Long Tall Sally (Little Richard),

I'm Ready Jambalaya(Fats Domino)

North Side Gal (JD McPherson),

Plus: +See You Later Alligator, Sea Cruise, Shake Rattle and Roll,

Ain't Got No Home, High School Confidential, Blueberry Hill, Hound Dog, Flip Flop and Fly

Technical Info

What are your basic technical requirements?

Power supply, level playing area if in a marquee, dressing room/changing space if possible (not a deal-breaker!)


Do you provide sound and lighting equipment?

Yes


What information do you require about a venue?

Post code, approx stage size, from what time we can access the venue, whether food available at venue


Can you provide a Spotify/DJ service before and between your sets?

iPod/iPad service no problem, client's playlist or our own.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best gig you've ever done and the best venue you've ever played at?

The last show at The Mesmerist in Brighton was a killer. Also loved the 3000-strong crowd at Norfolk caravan show in 2021, and supporting The JIve Aces on Brighton Pier.


Which artists have you been most influenced by, who is your favourite artist and what is the greatest song of all time?

We all love Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Little Richard and other New Orleans rockers like Frankie Ford and 'Frogman' Henry. Greatest rock and roll song of all time, either Great Balls of Fire or Johnny B.Goode. Take your pick!


What's your previous experience and how did you start gigging?

The Catfish Kings emerged from blues band Mo'Indigo who made three albums in 10 years and criss-crossed Europe with American blues legends. We wanted to play more to audiences who loved to dance so rock and roll and rhythm and blues was the ideal direction. As CFK we're more popular then ever!


What's your favourite type of event to play at?

Where ever people want to dance. A band that can't make a crowd dance is as useless as a comedian who's not funny!!!

Performance Info

What are your typical setup and performance times?

Need min 90 mins set up time, 120 mins preferable. Playing times 1 x hour, 2 x 1 hour, 2 x 45 mins, by negotiation


Are you happy to perform outside?

Yes, provided there's some emergency cover in case of rain - this is Britain after all!


Do the clients have a say in what you play or is it a set repertoire list only?

We have a set list but are happy to add one or two titles on request - as long as they'e in the rock and roll genre from 1954-74.


How do previous clients most commonly describe your performances?

We're told we are very successful at giving people a good time. We relate to people and people relate to us. We include everyone in the show. We're easy and undemanding to get on with. We're flexible if events don't run to time e.g. over-running speeches, changes on the day to the timetable.

Recent Clients

The Catfish Kings has performed for these clients:

Weddings, birthday parties, corporate events, rock and roll and jive clubs.

Kings of Rock and Roll, Sand Bay (twice).

Birmingham International Jazz and Blues Festival (six times)

Charlotte's birthday, Riverside Centre, Isle of Wight

Warners Hotels - Hayling Island, Isle of Wignt, Bodelwyddan N Wales et al.

60th wedding Anniversary East Sussex

70 birthday. engagment party, Milton Keynes

Crawley Rock and Roll Club

Big Boppa's, Enfield

Shirley's Rocking Roadhouse

Broadstairs Folk Week

Wedding, Essex

Swingsters, Herts

Henry's Birmingham

Venues

The Catfish Kings has performed at these venues:

Dover St Jazz Club, W1

Water Rats, Kings Cross

Birmingham Botanical Gardens

Norfolk Showground

Botany Bay Cricket Club, Enfield

Steyning Cricket Club, W Sussex

Palace Pier, Brighton

Shirley's Rocking Roadhouse, nr Hatfield

De Vere Venues

Hove Bowls Club

Shoreham Leisure Centre

Imperial Hotel Blackpool (twice)

Savoy Hotel Blackpool

Longbridge Social Club, Birmingam.

The Brasshouse, Broad St Birmingham

Awebridge Village Hall, Romsey

Lily Sugars, Hayling Island

RBL Hayling Islanf (three times)

Contact

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